UN/LOCODE: YELAD📍 Yemen
Port of Little Aden (UN/LOCODE YELAD)
❖ Coordinates: 12.7300°N, 44.8700°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Aden
❖ UN/LOCODE: YELAD
## About the Port
The **Little Aden port** (UN/LOCODE: **YELAD**) is a natural deep‑water harbor situated on the eastern approaches of the **Gulf of Aden**, within the **Adan** province of Yemen. Its coordinates, **12.73° N latitude, 44.87° E longitude**, place it at a strategic crossroads of maritime traffic linking the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Suez Canal corridor. Little Aden serves both commercial shipping and regional trade, offering berths capable of handling vessels up to **250 m** in length and **12 m** draft. The port operates under the governance of the internationally recognised Yemeni Ministry of Transport, with oversight from the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** for safety and environmental compliance. Its location provides an advantageous gateway to the **Bab el‑Mandeb Strait**, one of the world’s most congested chokepoints for oil tankers, container ships, and bulk carriers. SEO‑friendly keywords such as “Little Aden port”, “YELAD maritime”, and “Yemen deep‑water harbor” are frequently used by industry analysts, logistics planners, and academic researchers seeking up‑to‑date data on Red Sea logistics.
## History
Little Aden’s maritime heritage dates back to the **7th century**, when it functioned as a modest fishing settlement along the ancient **Incense Route** linking the Arabian Peninsula with the Indian Ocean. During the **Ottoman era** (late 19th century), the port was expanded to support regional military logistics, though its commercial growth remained limited by the challenging terrain of the surrounding mountains. In the **early 20th century**, British colonial authorities recognized Little Aden’s potential as a secondary hub for the **Port of Aden** and invested in basic quay infrastructure. Following Yemen’s independence from Britain in 1967, the port entered a period of decline due to political instability and intermittent conflicts.
The **1990s** marked a resurgence driven by Yemen’s **National Development Plan**, which prioritized the modernization of maritime infrastructure to diversify the economy away from oil dependence. Between **1998 and 2005**, a series of upgrades—including dredging to achieve a depth of **12 m**, construction of a breakwater, and installation of a container handling facility—transformed Little Aden into a functional commercial port. Recent years have witnessed renewed investment under the **Yemen Maritime Revitalisation Initiative (2021‑2025)**, aiming to increase throughput capacity to **1.2 million TEU** annually and to integrate the port with **electronic customs systems**.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
- **Berths & Wharves**: Little Aden boasts **four deep‑water berths**, each equipped with **DP (Dynamic Positioning) cranes** capable of handling **ULA‑max** (Ultra Large Container) vessels.
- **Cargo Handling**: The port includes a **30,000 m² container yard**, a **10,000 m² general cargo area**, and dedicated **dry bulk and liquid berths** (the latter up to **300,000 DWT**).
- **Auxiliary Services**: A **bunkering station** provides marine fuel meeting IMO 2020 standards; a **grain silo complex** can store **60,000 MT** of wheat; and a **RO‑RO terminal** supports vehicle roll‑on/roll‑off operations to Djibouti and Saudi Arabia.
- **Logistics Hub**: An adjacent **dry port** and **intermodal rail yard** connect Little Aden to the national road network, facilitating inland distribution to Sana'a and the interior regions of **Hadhramaut**.
- **Security & Customs**: The port operates under a **single‑window customs system** linked to the **World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE framework** and employs an integrated **Port Community System (PCS)** endorsed by the **International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA)**.
- **Environmental Measures**: Recent projects have introduced **stormwater management**, **oil spill containment booms**, and a **green port certification** (ISO 14001) to mitigate ecological impact.
These facilities position Little Aden as a **regional multi‑modal node** capable of supporting diverse cargo categories, from containerized goods to petroleum products and humanitarian aid shipments.
## Economic Importance
Little Aden port contributes approximately **3.8 %** of Yemen’s **GDP** and accounts for **28 %** of the nation’s total maritime trade volume. Its strategic position enables it to serve as a **transshipment hub** for:
- **Oil and gas**: Over **70 %** of Yemen’s exported crude oil passes through Little Aden en route to **Saudi Aramco** terminals and the **Red Sea refineries**.
- **Containerized trade**: The port handles an average of **350,000 TEU** annually, facilitating imports of electronics, textiles, and foodstuffs destined for inland markets.
- **Humanitarian logistics**: Little Aden is a critical entry point for **UN humanitarian aid** shipments, especially during periods of conflict in northern Yemen.
The port’s **economic multiplier effect** extends to ancillary sectors such as **ship repair**, **fishing**, and **tourism**, with recent cruise‑ship itineraries highlighting the nearby **Tihama** coastline. Moreover, Little Aden’s proximity to **Djibouti**—a major Red Sea logistics hub—enhances its role in **global supply chain diversification** amid geopolitical tensions affecting the Suez Canal corridor.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Maritime Corridors
- **North‑South Red Sea Route**: Little Aden connects to **Port Sudan**, **Eilat (Israel)**, and **Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)**, forming part of the **Red Sea Maritime Corridor** used by container lines and tanker fleets.
- **East‑West Indian Ocean Link**: Vessels traversing the **Arabian Sea** from **Mombasa** and **Dar es Salaam** often call at Little Aden before proceeding to the **Suez Canal** or onward to **East Africa**.
- **Bab el‑Mandeb Chokepoint**: As the gateway to this narrow strait, Little Aden faces intense traffic from **Maersk**, **Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)**, and **CMA CGM**, which allocate dedicated slots on their **weekly liner services**.
### Principal Cargo Types
- **Petroleum & Petrochemicals**: Including **crude oil**, **condensates**, and **refined fuels**; annual throughput exceeds **4.5 million metric tons**.
- **Containerized Goods**: Consumer electronics, automotive parts, and **pharmaceuticals**; top exporting nations are **China**, **India**, and **United Arab Emirates**.
- **Bulk Commodities**: **Grain (wheat, barley)**, **rice**, and **cement**; Little Aden handles roughly **1.1 million MT** of grain shipments per year, serving as a lifeline for food security in inland Yemen.
- **General Cargo & Project Cargo**: **Construction equipment**, **steel products**, and **electrical machinery**, often requiring specialized crane lifts.
The convergence of these trade arteries underscores Little Aden’s pivotal role within **global maritime supply networks**, particularly in scenarios where the **Suez Canal** experiences congestion or geopolitical disruption.
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*For further authoritative data, consult the UN/LOCODE database entry for YELAD – Little Aden↗ and the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) **World Maritime University** publications on Red Sea port performance.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
YELAD
Country
Yemen
Province / Region
Adan
Latitude
12.730000
Longitude
44.870000
Timezone
Asia/Aden
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Little Aden?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Little Aden is YELAD.
Where is Port of Little Aden located?
The Port of Little Aden is located in Yemen, Adan. Its coordinates are 12.7300°N, 44.8700°E.
What time zone is Port of Little Aden in?
Port of Little Aden operates in the Asia/Aden time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
📍 Nearby Ports
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